Vacations in South Africa

Because there is a lot to do in South Africa –safaris, sunbathing, hiking, biking, game viewing – the traditional peak season -summer – is not the only time when holidaymakers flock here.

Since most of the locals plan their vacation around the school holiday –mid-December to end of January-, the hotels, hostels, flights and tours book up really quickly. Since it’s the middle of summer, the prices tend to be on higher both for accommodation and airfare.

However, because of its diversity, planning an off-season vacation in South Africa is easy. Plus, it might not be “off season” after all. The peak months for safari are during July to September while for visiting Cape Town it’s best to come from November to March (summer).

Popular South African Vacations

Tourists come to South Africa for two major reasons: beaches and safaris.

Without a doubt, the most popular South African stretch of beach is Garden Route. From Mossel Bay to Storms Rivers, the coast is dotted with sandy beaches and great locations for diving or whale watching.

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Cape Town is also a paradise for those who enjoy the beaches. From December to February, locals and tourists flock to one of the beaches located right within the city.

If you want to be seen, don’t miss Clifton Beach, filled with youngsters who obviously care a lot about their bodies. Also, it’s an excellent place for swimming.

If you travel with your family, you should go to one of the beaches along the False Bay coast (Muizenburg or Fish Hoek). The water is warmer and there is always a lifeguard on duty. Also, in October and November, it’s the perfect place to watch whales.

If you like to mix sun bathing with nature tours, go to Boulder’s Beach. It’s the place where you can see the penguins and even have to push them away if you want to relax.